ANTIQUE 20thC AMERICAN "THE REGINA CO" 12 DISC AUTOMATIC MUSIC PLAYING CABINET BOX c.1900
Antique 19th Century American made music cabinet, produced by Regina Corona. Designed to play 12 interchangeable 15 1/2 Inch metal discs automatically, it features a hand-wound spring mechanism, which stores energy when the winding handle is turned—typically five to six turns are sufficient to power several discs.
On the side of the cabinet, a numbered dial (1–12) allows the user to select a disc. Once the dial is set and the lever is moved to “start,” the cabinet automatically lifts the chosen disc into position and begins to play. When the piece finishes, the disc is returned to its resting position, and if the lever remains on “start,” the next disc will play automatically. A replay setting on the lever allows the same tune to be repeated. Reference number 51243.
Reference Number: NS11405
Antique 19th Century American made music cabinet, produced by Regina Corona. Designed to play 12 interchangeable 15 1/2 Inch metal discs automatically, it features a hand-wound spring mechanism, which stores energy when the winding handle is turned—typically five to six turns are sufficient to power several discs.
On the side of the cabinet, a numbered dial (1–12) allows the user to select a disc. Once the dial is set and the lever is moved to “start,” the cabinet automatically lifts the chosen disc into position and begins to play. When the piece finishes, the disc is returned to its resting position, and if the lever remains on “start,” the next disc will play automatically. A replay setting on the lever allows the same tune to be repeated. Reference number 51243.
Reference Number: NS11405
Antique 19th Century American made music cabinet, produced by Regina Corona. Designed to play 12 interchangeable 15 1/2 Inch metal discs automatically, it features a hand-wound spring mechanism, which stores energy when the winding handle is turned—typically five to six turns are sufficient to power several discs.
On the side of the cabinet, a numbered dial (1–12) allows the user to select a disc. Once the dial is set and the lever is moved to “start,” the cabinet automatically lifts the chosen disc into position and begins to play. When the piece finishes, the disc is returned to its resting position, and if the lever remains on “start,” the next disc will play automatically. A replay setting on the lever allows the same tune to be repeated. Reference number 51243.
Reference Number: NS11405
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The front of the cabinet door features a beautiful stained glass window, adorned with a crown and multicoloured cut glass jewels. A pierced metal surround behind the glass allows the music to resonate clearly from within the cabinet. Painted on the front are the words “NEW YORK,” “The Regina Co,” and “CHICAGO,” highlighting the company’s prominence across major American cities.
Below the front door, a drawer contains a copy of the original manual and a selection of music discs that could be ordered at the time. Each disc has a notched edge and must be placed with its prongs facing inward and the notch at the 3 o’clock position—this ensures proper engagement with the mechanism. If a disc stops partway through, winding the handle again will resume playback. Care must be taken not to overwind the spring.
Regina music cabinets, produced in America during the late 19th century, were elegantly crafted mechanical music boxes designed to house disc-operated music mechanisms. Manufactured by the Regina Music Box Company, founded in 1892 in Rahway, New Jersey, these cabinets combined rich cabinetry—often made from oak or mahogany—with precision-engineered mechanisms capable of playing interchangeable metal discs. They offered a luxurious alternative to live music in homes before the widespread availability of the phonograph. With models ranging from tabletop players to grand upright cabinets incorporating storage drawers for discs, Regina machines became a hallmark of refined entertainment.
CONDITION
In Great Condition - Wear expected with age. Please refer to photographs.
SIZE
Height: 171 cm // 67.32 inches
Width: 75 cm // 29.53 inches
Depth: 54 cm // 21.26 inches
